Presence of nuisance individuals also a factor in decision, says deputy chief

Vivian Moreau

News staff

Oak Bay police are stepping up patrols of the waters around Oak Bay in response to a rash of thefts from boats moored at nearby marinas.

“We’re going to get out there more often and start rattling people’s chains,” said Deputy Chief Kent Thom.

Because Oak Bay police do not have a boat, they will head out in the RCMP’s Esquimalt-based 7.3-meter rigid hull inflatable, with RCMP Const. Larry Jacobs at the helm.

Although police make regular foot patrols around the marinas after hours, they’ve also decided to take to the waters after increased calls from marina staff about suspicious people showing up on the docks.

“There’s just people being around when they haven’t been in the past, and when confronted, they give reasons that aren’t acceptable to those that are confronting them,” Thom said.

In the past police have used the patrol boat only during special events such as the Oak Bay Tea Party or for emergency calls. But now they’ll be going out every two weeks with Jacobs, Thom said.

“It’s to show our presence, to talk to people that are on or around boats, and if they’re there for legitimate reasons, to introduce them to Coastal Watch.”

That program is similar to the land-based Block Watch, where neighbours and others keep an eye out for each other’s property.

Reports of thefts have come from Oak Bay Marina, which began logging complaints this year about fishing gear and other equipment going missing from boats moored there. Marina manager Maya Gosker said such thefts have been rare in previous years, but since May they’ve had nine reports.

The Royal Victoria Yacht Club on Ripon Road has also noticed a steady increase of thefts in the past few years from boats moored at its marina, said general manager Simon Gatrell.

Thieves are even more daring there, stealing outboard motors and fuel tanks. In response, the yacht club set up a surveillance camera system to scan docks to watch for thieves who might arrive after hours.

“But we can’t catch them because they always cover their faces,” Gatrell said.

Oak Bay Marina is considering installing a security camera system, Gosker said.

Police said there are concerns about the number of boats moored in the bay for extended periods of time.

Although officers won’t board boats unless there are complaints about specific vessels, they will try to get the message out about zoning bylaws that don’t allow boats to be anchored for more than a night or two.

“It will be an education for (police officers),” Thom said.

“But we’re also letting marina members and boat owners know that we’re out there doing crime prevention on the water.”

vmoreau@saanichnews.com